Newco scored from a free kick they won after 67 seconds, but even at that early stage, the pattern of the game was already evident. When the home team pressed, they pressed together, and Celtic were unable to pass through them.
Week after week, we bemoan playing against teams who refused to come out, then when given the opportunity, we cannot pick a pass through a press. It is clear the recruitment job for next season needs to replace Boyata, Benkovic (probably), Lustig (whether he actually goes or not) and Dembele, but the mix is not right in central midfield.
If yesterday was a Champions League qualifier, we would have the luxury of blaming whatever financial, recruitment advantage, or more competitive league our opponents had over us that enabled them to close us down so comfortably. The reality is we were mugged by an average team and if we go into the qualifiers with the same central mid, we can expect the same outcome as we experienced against AEK in August.
I am fond of all our central midfielders, including Olivier Ntcham, who for various reasons has not had a great season, but this is the most crucial area of the team and the one I am most concerned about.
Back in the 90s Celtic were world class at winning late in the season when it didn’t really matter. The Knicker Wetters should know that nothing that happened yesterday changes the fundamentals in Scottish football, which remain as they were. We have a big rebuild job to do, but we have the resources and appetite for the task.
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Just wondering… has anyone suggested this name as a possible new manager…. Tony Popovic?
He took Western Sydney Wanderers to the national title in his and the clubs very first season.
They followed this up by winning the Asian Champions League.
He is currently coach of the Perth Glory who, after many years in the doldrums have now won the minor premiership (the League) and are in the Grand Final which they must be favourites to win.
I don’t really know much more about him but his managerial record is better then most.
Big Jimmy…big difference between perception and reality…crack on ?
H.H.
MEA CULPA on 14TH MAY 2019 11:48 AM
Just wondering… has anyone suggested this name as a possible new manager…. Tony Popovic?
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The Celtic job isn’t the easiest sell to high profile managers in football, but I am confident that this guy would be near the bottom of a very long list of potential new managers.
That doesnt mean hes a bad manager or won’t come to Europe and prove himself in future as a manager, but he would represent an absolutely seismic gamble at a pivotal point in our tilt at 10IAR.
Not going to happen.
HH
MEA CULPA
Yep; I’d raised Poppa before. Aside from Oz success, the ex-Palace defender had a disastrous spell in Turkey.
I’da thought no deep contacts book for players or Euro experience would go against him, much as Trad88 says.
More generally on this platform, the old saying take what you like and leave the rest works for me.
Thanks P67 for facilitating this blog. Thanks to many many others (esp JF) for their regularly insightful, contrary or provocative posts.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Slagging people; forming camps and fiefdoms does nowt for me.
We’re all Celtic supporters.
KumBaYaCSC
new article posted.
After a full shithole singing disgusting songs about the Lions, how could any single Celtic supporter step in there ever again ?
Seriously.
Starve the vermin of any income be it a league and/or cup game.
Filthy lowlife steeped down to a new level in front of John Greig who attended yet will not shame them.
Well done Michael Stewart.
Boycott that shitehole forever.
My friends in Celtic,
Woohoo, wi fi,s back, pesky work can wait.
The Celtic manager’s job :
Let’s not underestimate or undervalue it’s importance.
To manage a club with one of the best brands and biggest name in world football.
To manage a club with a proud, illustrations and unbroken history.
To manage a club with 60k home fans.
To manage a club with a massive worldwide passionate base.
To manage a club that will win trophies
To manage a club that will pay a multi million salary.
To manage a club with circa £100 turnover.
To manage a club with world class facilities in the training academy.
To manage a club with massive potential.
To manage in a high profile situation.
To manage a club with a CEO whose reputation is sky high in higher European circles.( Yes this is a plus, not a negative)
To manage a club that will be an ideal ” stepping stone ” to resurrect a career or to move to the EPL.
To manage a club that has ideal transportation linke to London, the rest of the UK and beyond.
To manage a club where success and dedication will be valued and can guarantee hero status.
To manage a club where within a 30 minute drive has some of the finest scenery in the UK.
To manage a club where there are ambitious plans for improvement and infrastructure.
To manage a club that creates a legendary European atmosphere that many players and pundits rank as second to none.
There is more, much more so let’s not play down our appeal to a varied and cross section of potential managers.
HH to all.